2016 beaten finalists Kingussie colts are through to the next round of the Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup courtesy of a 1-0 win over the Skye Camanachd colts at The Dell on Saturday 8 April 2017.

Kingussie, who had edged out Skye 2-1 in their Marine Harvest North Division 1 meeting at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree, were without Ronald Ross and Kevin Thain whilst Garry Munro started at full forward. Callum Grant made his first appearance of the season for the Kings, having rejoined the club from Tayforth, and he was deployed at full centre.

With Iain MacLeod back in the Skye first team, Skye Camanachd second team manager Kenny MacLeod was able to recall Ryan Morrison and he took over from Jamie Gannon in goal. David MacInnes, Ross Gordon, Angus MacDonald and Ross Nicolson all return to the squad for this 3pm throw up. Jamie Gillies was out with an ankle injury.

Skye competed well in the first half and they were excellent defensively with youngster James Morrison again catching the eye as did DJ Gilpin.

However a momentary lapse of concentration from the visiting defence allowed Liam Borthwick space at the back post on the half hour mark and he finished really well to put Kingussie 1-0 ahead.

Skye’s best chance of the opening 45 minutes came when Ross Gordon was put through on goal but he failed to hit the target.

In fact a Kenny MacLeod strike was Skye’s only attempt on target in the first half.

The second half continued in the same pattern. Skye defender Allan Macleod mopped up more than one Kingussie attack but his team mates were unable to hold the ball further up the park which allowed Kingussie to keep sending it back into the Skye goal area.

Kingussie introduced youngster Ruaridh Anderson, who had played the full 90 minutes for their first team against Lovat earlier in the afternoon, for the final quarter of the match.

As the match went on, Skye lacked sufficient creativity up front to forge any real opportunities.

They did have a chance a couple of minutes from time when Ross Gordon broke through at the back post, one on one with the keeper, but he was unable to hit the target.

With seconds remaining, Ross Graham found himself in a similar position but he too found the side netting.

Kingussie had the last chance of the game when a ball over the top evaded Iain Murray and John Gibson, who had come on for Garry Munro, was able to run clean through on goal but Ryan Morrison came quickly off his line to save Gibson’s shot and the ball was eventually cleared.

This was a match between two teams who defended well but lacked a cutting edge and imagination up front and Liam Borthwick’s composed finish was enough to win the game for a Kingussie squad who now travel to Silversands to play Aberdour in the next round.

It was another frustrating Saturday for Skye although James Morrison and DJ Gilpin were superb in defence whilst Iain Murray and Allan MacLeod also playing well. Skye will hope for a change of fortunes this coming Saturday when Marine Harvest North Division 1 reigning champions Newtonmore visit Pairc nan Laoch, Portree.